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Austria has a new quality label for quality sparkling wine: since the third weekend in October, the protected designations of origin "Sekt PDO Klassik" and "Sekt PDO Reserve" have been in force; in autumn 2018, "Sekt PDO Große Reserve" will be added as the third stage.
The grapes for "Sekt PDO Klassik" and "Sekt PDO Reserve" may only come from one federal state, for "Sekt PDO Große Reserve" only from a single municipality. The origin - i.e. the name of the federal state or municipality - must be indicated on the label, as must the name "Sekt" or "Qualitätsschaumwein", the category within the three levels ("Klassik", "Reserve" or "Große Reserve") and the addition of "PDO" or "protected designation of origin". In addition, a sensory examination by the Federal Offices for Viticulture is obligatory.
For "Sekt PDO Classic", all legally permissible methods of sparkling wine production are permitted, and the sparkling wine must mature on the yeast for at least nine months. The maximum alcohol content is 12.5 percent by volume.
For "Sekt PDO Reserve", classical bottle fermentation and a minimum maturation period of 18 months are required, for "Sekt PDO Grand Reserve" also classical bottle fermentation and a minimum maturation period of 30 months are prescribed. Sparkling wines in these two categories may have a maximum of 12 grams of residual sugar per litre, i.e. they must be aged brut.
The spectrum of approved grape varieties for Sekt PDO ranges from Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling and other local grapes to international varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling and the classic Burgundy varieties. In addition to the production of sparkling wine, the quality regulations already apply to the work in the vineyard.